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With the all-star break now behind us and tonight marking the first real day back, let's look at what might be coming with the second-half of the season. I think I speak for everyone when I say that the first-half was one to remember. It seems like every day you saw something different and hopefully the second-half follows in the first's footsteps.

Let's start where I think all the teams will finish at the end of the season.

NL East-
I think the Mets will continue to do well and finish this year, unlike last. They are on a 10 game win streak, they love their new coach, and their pitching has been A+ lately.

NL Central-
The Cubs will win the Central but with the Brewers and Cards right behind them. They are the most complete team in the NL right now, top to bottom. They wont choke in the regular season, they will save that for the playoffs.

NL West-
It is a four-team race right now, even the hot Rockies are in it. In the end, I think that the Diamondbacks will finish what they started and come away with the title. Look for it to come down to the very end though.

NL Wildcard-
I am going to have to go with this years surprise, the St. Louis Cardinals. They have Carpenter coming back at the end of the month and Wainwright in about a week. I think that they will make a move for a bat but even without it they have a hot-hitting Glaus, Rick Ankiel, Pujols, Ludwick to score for Carp, Wainwright, and Lohse.

AL East-
This is going to be fun to watch going into the back stretch. Tampa is slumping big and the Yanks still have a lot of things to straighten out. I say Red Sox win this but look for Tampa, New York, and Boston to all win 90 games.

AL Central-
I think Chicago White Sox will pull this one off. They have big bats in the middle of the lineup to go along with one of, or the, best rotation in the bigs. They just activated Bobby Jenks and they are now ready to win a very solid division. I wouldnt be surprised, though, if Detroit makes a big run at it.

AL West-
As much as I want my Rangers to make a run at it, they wont. Los Angeles Angles of ANAHEIM will take the West again. With Oakland just ruining their season by trading their top 2 pitchers, they will have a tough second-half and Rangers just dont have the pitching LAA has.

AL Wildcard-
I would love to tell you that the Rays are going to turn it around and stun us all but.. I am not. They are young and inexperienced and going down the stretch will really be tough for these guys. On the other hand, the YANKEES have been there and do have what it takes to come back and do something with the second half.

Now let's take a look at who I think will come away with this year's big awards.

NL MVP-
All Lance Berkman has to do for the rest of the season is hit .300 and he will take this by default. He is batting .347 with 22 HRs and 75 RBIs. Not to mention his 15 SBs this year.

NL Cy Young-
Well let's look at this.. Edinson Volquez is probably what a lot of folks would say but he has pitched bad in his past few starts. That leaves us with Cole Hamels, Tim Lincecum, or Danny Haren. Dan Haren, last year, was known for his rough second half so I dont know about him. I am going to have to say Lincecum. I know he is young but I love this kid's stuff. He is the real deal and I think he will finish his great first half.

NL Rookie of the Year-
Geovany Soto is my choice. He is batting .290 and is projected to hit 28 HRs and 100 RBIs even. He has 41 extra-base hits already out of the catcher position. His teamate Fukudome wouldnt be a bad pick either but Kosuke doesnt have the numbers that Soto does.

AL MVP-
There are three players from the Rangers team that I could go with but I can only pick one. Hamilton's year has been rediculous, his Hollywood story and all. He is crushing everyone in RBIs, a .310 average, and everyone now knows about his power. A lot of people are saying A-rod wins in a nice second half but not me. I am taking Mr. Fairytale, Josh Hamilton.

AL Cy Young-
I am going to go out on a limb and say that Roy Halladay continues his incredible, but silent, finish to his first half. He is quietly totaled 11 wins, leads in IP, a 2.70 ERA, 125 Ks, with a 1.00 WHIP. He has the best all-around numbers and for the first time in a while, an injury wont stop him from taking this award.

AL Rookie of the Year-
It's hard to NOT take Evan Longoria. He is a rookie in the MLB and the leader of the Tampa Bay Rays at the same time. He hits for power, fields his position, does all the little things. He looks nothing like a rookie. Even if the Rays have a rough second half, Longoria has earned the award.

Alright, enough with the awards. It's time to discuss what really counts. Playoff predictions.

NLCS-
The dream series. Cubs vs Cardinals. Great team vs great story. In the end though, the Cubs are the better team. They have that bats, the arms, and the need to break the curse. Cubs win this one in 6 and head to the world series.

ALCS-
Best pitching in baseball against the best hitting in baseball. Angles vs Red Sox in this one. The Angles have the strong 1-2-3 punch of Lackey, Saunders, Santana with Weaver and Garland in the back. The Redsox have the second best batting average in baseball, and the third most runs. Pitching beats batting, we saw it in the All-Star game. Angles win in 7.

World Series-
You guys prolly thought I would have a Cubs/White Sox or Cubs/Boston Series but nope. We are going with Cubs vs Angles in the fall classic. News flash, the Cubs are choke artists and will perfect it again against LAA's steller pitching. This WS will look a lot like the 2004 Cards/Sox series that might have been the ugliest series I have ever seen. Bottom line is that the Cubs wont beat the curse and we move to year 101. Also, K-Rod will record his 75th save of the season (including playoffs) in Game 5 to win the series.

Alright there you have it. My second half predictions. Will they be correct? Nope but that's the beauty of it. I'll see you guys next time. Love me or hate me, that is sports through the eyes of Jay. I am out.

- Jay
(StLDieHard)
Sports Through the Eyes of Jay
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